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Pemmican Is a High-calorie, Easy-to-make Survival Food You Can Stockpile: Here’s How.

Pemmican is an age-old survival food that has nourished people from Native American tribes to backcountry explorers for centuries. A simple mix of dried meat and rendered fat, it’s high in calories and can last for months or even years without refrigeration. Unlike most modern energy bars or snacks, pemmican provides a balanced source of fats and protein in a compact form, making it perfect for outdoor adventures or emergency preparedness.

A Staple for Survival

A Staple for Survival
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The enduring popularity of pemmican comes from its shelf stability and nutritional value. Unlike many perishable foods, pemmican doesn’t require refrigeration, making it ideal for long-term storage and emergency situations. It’s also incredibly calorie-dense, allowing you to carry a significant amount of energy in a small package. When you’re hiking, hunting, or even just on a long outdoor trip, this can be a game-changer.

The Simplicity of Ingredients

The Simplicity of Ingredients
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What makes pemmican so appealing is its simplicity. At its core, pemmican only requires two ingredients: dried meat and fat, such as beef tallow. With just these essentials, you can make a version of pemmican that lasts for years. Some people add dried berries or nuts for extra flavor, but these extras can reduce shelf life. With only meat and fat, you’re looking at a recipe designed to withstand the test of time.

Choosing the Right Fat

Choosing the Right Fat
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Not all fats are suitable for pemmican. It’s essential to choose a fat that remains solid at room temperature, such as beef tallow, which forms a stable, compact bar. Softer fats, like pork lard, won’t hold together and can make your pemmican too oily. Beef tallow has a neutral taste and creates a solid base for the meat, making it ideal for creating a bar that’s easy to transport.

Preparing the Fat

Preparing the Fat
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To make the fat usable for pemmican, it needs to be rendered, which involves slowly melting it down to remove impurities. This can be done by chopping the fat into small pieces, placing it in a slow cooker, and letting it melt on low heat for several hours. The result is a clean, golden liquid that, once cooled, will harden into a white, solid form. This rendered fat can be stored indefinitely and used whenever you’re ready to make more pemmican.

Drying the Meat

Drying the Meat
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The key to long-lasting pemmican is thoroughly drying the meat. Beef, venison, or elk are popular choices. Dehydrating the meat until it’s brittle ensures it won’t spoil and will blend smoothly with the fat. For those who have a dehydrator, the process is simple: spread out the ground meat and dry it until it’s crumbly. Properly dried meat should snap easily and can then be ground into a fine powder for mixing with the fat.

Adding Extras for Flavor

Adding Extras for Flavor
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While traditional pemmican only includes meat and fat, some people enjoy adding dried fruits or nuts for added flavor. Blueberries, dates, or pecans can enhance the taste, but these ingredients also introduce moisture and oils that can shorten the shelf life. If you’re making pemmican for immediate use or plan to consume it within a few weeks or months, feel free to experiment with these additions. Just be sure to grind everything into a fine, manageable texture.

Mixing It All Together

Mixing It All Together
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Once you have your rendered fat, dried meat powder, and any additional ingredients, it’s time to combine them. Start by melting the fat to a warm liquid and gradually mixing it with the meat powder. The goal is to reach a consistency that binds everything together but doesn’t feel greasy. You’ll want a smooth, even mixture that will hold together when shaped into bars or packed into containers.

Packing and Storing

Packing and Storing
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After mixing, shape your pemmican into bars or pack it into molds. Allow it to cool and solidify; some people even pop it in the refrigerator to speed up the process. Once it’s set, you can cut it into convenient squares or bars. Pemmican can be stored in a cool, dry place for months or even years if made with only meat and fat, making it perfect for long-term storage or travel.

Customizing for Taste

Customizing for Taste
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Pemmican’s taste and texture can be an acquired preference. It has a unique, savory quality that some might find different from what they’re used to in a snack. For those looking for a bit of sweetness, adding a touch of honey can add a pleasant flavor without compromising too much on longevity. It’s all about balancing personal taste with practicality, and there’s plenty of room to experiment with flavors in each batch.

Ideal for High-Energy Activities

Ideal for High Energy Activities
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This traditional recipe provides a balanced mix of protein and fat, making it an excellent source of long-lasting energy. When you’re out in the wilderness, burning hundreds or thousands of calories, pemmican provides the nutrients needed to sustain energy. Its dense structure means you don’t need to carry a lot to have enough for a day’s worth of activities, which can be a significant advantage on extended trips.

Perfect for Preparedness

Perfect for Preparedness
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Pemmican isn’t just for outdoor enthusiasts; it’s an excellent option for anyone interested in emergency preparedness. With unpredictable events or natural disasters, having a reliable, shelf-stable food on hand can offer peace of mind. Since it doesn’t require refrigeration and is packed with calories, pemmican makes a reliable and convenient addition to any emergency food stockpile.

Enjoying the Original Survival Food

Enjoying the Original Survival Food
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While there are countless modern snacks and energy bars, few can match the endurance, simplicity, and effectiveness of pemmican. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or just starting with food preservation, pemmican offers a practical, nutritious solution. Its minimal ingredients and long shelf life make it an invaluable tool for anyone interested in self-reliance, survival skills, or backcountry exploration. So next time you’re packing for a hike or looking to add to your emergency kit, consider making some pemmican – it’s the ultimate survival food.